how to not scream AMERICAN in a foreign country

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I gotta concur RE the local camo angle;as well as the erect posture minus the challenging eye contact...of course;I kind of do that where I live these days as well.
I 5'8' ;on the skinny/wiry side. My visible tattoos have no national or military significance.Being dark(and grey) haired and complected helps as well...I fade into most local crowds ( except for Swedes or Finns ) real easy.
 
Try not to stand out in any way. Wear earth toned clothes. As most have pointed out, you will stick out not matter what. As to the OP, weart clothes that are comfortable for travel. If you are comfortable in a suit and tie, then wear it. If you feel that this is going to help you get through customs quicker and then it seems that your plan is to ditch that outfit for the remainder of the trip. This is extra baggage to carry the rest of the trip. When travelling, wear whatever clothes you will wear the rest of the trip.

When I am travelling, I wear gray t-shirts with no writing, a button down long sleeve shirt of a light sage green shade, sage green pants and gray shoes. I carry a small black backpack and a sage green duffel bag for my clothes. I try to not stick out by my choice of clothing or accessories.

I try to simply be nice to the local people. This has been covered extensively already. Most people will be nice back to you if you treat them with respect. Try to learn some of their language and enjoy their customs.
 
Generic travel tips:

Dark- and neutral-toned clothes. Bright colors, unless you're part of a youth scene, tend to give you away.

No brand names/logos. I hate to say "no sneakers", either, since they're comfy...but if you really want to blend in, you probably don't want 'em.

Carry anything of value on your person - use a moneybelt or the like. Your bag can get sliced into on public transport with amazing ease.

This is your vacation, so you're probably inclined to wear casual clothes because you're away from work. Well, unless you're headed for a resort, guess what - everyone at your destination is going to and from work! :) Think "dressier".

Listen to your native companion and take your cues from them! If they're trying to move away from a situation or place...go with it.

You're not going to blend in on a short trip; people WILL know you're a foreigner. That's not always a bad thing. Like one person said, be polite and discreet, and you should be covered.
 
Ex Brit on going Ome!

The first time back in the UK with my then new Wife, 1992, wore the things I wear most always, 511 pants.

The Mother in Law said I was to old to wear those pants, all the kids wear them! I had wore them for ever! Velcro down pockets, carry local cash, change in left front pocket, twenty's in left side, 50s in right, learn to wiggle one out when needed, do not flash wallet, you do not need to use a wallet, renting a car? standard tranny, Diesel 4 door, get an extra key, place in bottom of phone pocket (in case) make sure your cell phone works over there, or pick up cheepy.

Sneakers are fine now, I always wore them, Liverpool accent also works.

At over 70 last time in England, City Stick was acceptable, lots of Brits have walking sticks past a certain age, damp place. Plane has no problem either.

I can not live without a pen knife, buy a little cheap one, leave it behind.
Walked everywhere with my Wife, her on one hand, walking stick in the other one, was left alone. Got picked for a "Yank" till I spoke.

Hiking style jackets both of us, Browning, dark green, waterproof, will fold up small, never out of place, rains a lot.
Green back pack, snacks, water, shopping stuff all fit, leaves hands free.

Learn to ask polite English/Liverpool type questions, like "Do you like Hospital food?" Well maybe not.
 
stop smiling, even if that teeth-job was expensive!

Hmm......... use common sense.

As a well traveled european i must say, that americans
stick out like a sore thumb abroad.
Mostly it´s tasteless clothing and tasteless loud speaking
in public places.

...well, just go to a make-up shop and
have them style you like dolphlundgren in red scorpion:
Dolph-Lundgren-DONOTHOTLINK.jpg


....:)
 
( ..after reading all comments i must assume, that we all have a history in the CIA :) ...but once u talk about it, it´s so darn hard to find all the THR members to trackem down and make sure they cannot tell......)
 
No white tennis shoes - seriously! (I wear Merrill slip-on Mocs in a brown finish.)

Also, no ball caps or clothing with obvious American logos or graphics.
 
you guys must have bumped your heads!

be proud to be an American, you can overcome the language barrier by speaking louder and gesturing wildly. Brightly colored clothes will help you avoid being hit by cars. Constantly remind everyone of how great america is and anything negative you can think of about where you are. Complain loudly and often to obtain the best service. Tipping is a great way to make friends but since other places use monopoly money try handing out some of these t-shirts http://www.printfection.com/mrt/Try-and-Stop-us/_p_1124568 That should about cover it. When in doubt speak loudly, make eye contact and poke the listener in the chest repeatedly.
 
Wear a hawaiian print shirt, khaki shorts, wool socks and sandals. Carry a large camera everywhere you go. Wear an American flag pin. Constantly talk to Aliens. Carry a bottle of Jack Daniels...

and occasionally rip out a giant roar... "YEEEHAAAA, that's a spicy meatball!"

You will blend in. trust me.

Oh, you aren't going to Texas? Oh, then don't do any of those things and forget about getting an armadillo on a leash.

Just get some local clothes, carry a small digital camera in a pocket and make sure you walk far enough in front of your KGB agent that no one can tell he is following you.
 
My question...Why are you so afraid of being made as an American? For 42 years I traveled with and for the US Navy and never had a problem. No matter what you do you will be made. As long as you don't act better then them you will have a fine time (The Ugly American). Contrary to popular belief. Most people of other countries like us, just not our government. Of course they don't like their government either...
 
I don't think it's an issue of being "afraid" of being American. Most people you encounter will treat you according to your conduct, but in the Russian Federation there is a strong nationalist resurgence--especially within the younger crowd--that positions them as a counter to "American Imperialism". Some of these kids and some of the older hard-core communists either can't or won't differentiate between a you and your government. Others will automatically pre-judge you because of prior experiences with "Ugly Americans" . Going low-key with your Americanness either avoids confrontations with those looking for one, or allows people to get to know you and realize that we (like any other nation) have good people and obnoxious people (most of my wife's old friends expected me to be a fat, semi-literate, baseball-cap-wearing boor--I surprised them and this allowed the opportunity to change minds). It's a matter of being able to be American while still respecting the local customs/rules.
 
My question...Why are you so afraid of being made as an American?
Click to expand...
Afraid?! Nah. I'd rather be a "gray" man, one who simply blends in unobtrusively with everybody else. I don't want to look like an ignorant, gullible tourist, who can be singled out by pick pockets and other small time hoods of the street.

For 42 years I traveled with and for the US Navy and never had a problem.
Click to expand...
What?! No bar fights with resentful locals?! Never been followed on the street by gangs of menacing locals while out on liberty with your shipmates?
 
hide in plain sight, go for the japanese look !

most tips have already been given, but I live in a college town (in belgium) with a lot of english speaking students and some americans. You can (almost) always pick them out by their accent. If you can, tone down the accent if you _have_ to speak english :p

it also might not always be how you look that gives you away, just observe and emulate the local routine behaviour. Let a local go first and do "exactly" as he does. Small things, from the way you greet someone, who you greet or in what order, or if or how many times you kiss a woman/man on the cheek.

but don't worry, a decent pickpocket crew will make you as a tourist immediately :)
 
Shawn Dodson...Only once when I was in Alongapo and was in a field playing base ball with a bunch of kids when one of those "kill an American a day" gangs came along...The parents of the kids ran them off...Because the parents were impress with the fact I would take the time to play with their kids I was invited to dinner that evening. Found out what dog tasted like that evening too...I don't go lookin' for trouble and when in an other country will go out of my way to avoid it...
 
The differences in nutrition, plus your lack of chronic exposure to pollution (air, water, food) make you look different.
 
One more general tip:

If you are visiting any country, but ESPECIALY one south of the border (with the possible exception of Mexico, or at least the border towns), and this conversation takes place.

Local: Where are you from?

Now, if you were at home, and a French tourist came up to you...

You: Where are you from?
French Tourist: I am a Frenchman!

That would seem really arrogant, or at least it would sound plain stupid.

So if you are in Argentina...

Local: Where are you from?

The proper response is...

You: I am from the United States (or simply "The States")

... and not "I am American".

There are two reasons for this. First, anyplace in the world, this "I am an American" comes off as a random and arrogant display of patriotism. To them "I am from the United States" is a much more neutral and conversational term. You wouldnt expect a foreigner to answer this question with Briton, Englishman, or Frenchman, would you?

Second, in Central and South America "I am an American" can easily be taken as even more confrontational than anywhere else. You are likely to receive a

"Oh yeah? I am an AMERICAN too yanqui SOB"
 
from my personal experience.....

I visited my girlfriend (now wife) who worked in Moscow 11 years ago.

I stood out like a sore thumb.....

Here's what you don't do...

1. Don't wear a colorful ski jacket.
2. Don't wear any kind of bright sneakers or high quality boots.
3. Don't walk around with your head up, scanning from left to right to see all of the sights.
4. Don't smile and don't make a lot of eye contact.
5. Don't be overly polite (holding doors, etc...).
6. Don't carry a fancy back pack.
7. Don't go jogging
8. Don't talk out loud a lot with your companions.
9. Blue jeans, logos and bright colors scream American.....

Here's what I wish I had done....
1. worn old, not fancy black or brown leather boots or shoes.
2. worn a brown or black leather coat (not jacket) with a dark fleece collar.
3. if it's winter, buy a fur hat when you get there.
4. walk with your head down
5. don't make a lot of eye contact with strangers, talk a lot or smile a lot.
6. carry around a few plastic bags in your coat pocket and use them to carry your kiosk purchases.
7. mind your own business
8. talk in low voices when speaking English in your group.
9. learn how to say a few common phrases .... thank you, yes, no, don't bother me......
10. don't walk around much after dark.

I had a great trip, met some wonderful people, saw some very interesting sights and picked up some cool soveniers.....

the only iffy things that happened...

I was accosted by a stray doberman (lots of stray animals on the street).

I found myself having to walk through a group of men passing around a vodka bottle who tried to engage me in conversation.

We were chewed out by a middle age lady at the egg kiosk because we asked if she had any eggs.
 
Also, no ball caps or clothing with obvious American logos or graphics.
Click to expand...

I had a shipmate go to a pub in Glascow Scottland wearing a green sweatshirt that said Catholic Unniversity on it.

The guy tending the bar came over to the table and advised him that his sweatshirt was definately going to get him into trouble. So he turned it inside out.
 
Drink tea (often w/ lemon). Take your shoes off in someones home (use proffered house slippers). Fork in left hand and knife in right. Make use of the bus, tram, and underground. Look grouchy and somber in public (unless drunk on beer and/or vodka w/ friends). White calf-high socks with sandals. :p

Funny, I've never had a problem of being made for what country I'm from. Makes me pretty fortunate I suppose. No matter what country I've been in, no matter how long or short a time, I've never been made (save for the folks that know me or not being able to respond in the native tongue).

Even at home I get foreigners coming up to me speaking in their native tongue. Even the occasional, "You're not from here, are you? / Where are you from?" I love being able to shock people by answering in their native tongue. 'Tis highly amusing when unexpected :D
 
Here's what you don't do...

1. Don't wear a colorful ski jacket.
2. Don't wear any kind of bright sneakers or high quality boots.
3. Don't walk around with your head up, scanning from left to right to see all of the sights.
4. Don't smile and don't make a lot of eye contact.
5. Don't be overly polite (holding doors, etc...).
6. Don't carry a fancy back pack.
7. Don't go jogging
8. Don't talk out loud a lot with your companions.
Click to expand...
Unfortunately, this advice could come in just as handy in Baltimore as in Russia. :(

I'm sort of in the camp with bushmaster; if you don't act better than anyone you'll probably be okay. It's good advice to try and blend in (don't act like the sheriff from 'Live and Let Die'), but if foreign (or American) ne'er-do-wells are set on doing you harm, they are probably going to do it.
 
Don't wear shorts.

Don't wear sandals.

Don't carry a backpack everywhere you go.

Same goes for bottled water. Don't carry it around everywhere.

Keep your voice as low as possible when speaking with travel partners. i.e., no talking across distances greater than a shoulder away.

Dress business casual.

Depending on you ethnicity, you could pass for some flavor of European if you are not overweight.
 
I guess I've never thought about trying to blend in with locals too much, because I've never been to Europe, which is the only possible place I could blend in. I've been to Mexico and Asia where there is no chance.

But, I've been all over the states too, and everywhere I've been - including foreign countries, I've been immediately pegged as a redneck and warmly embraced by the local rednecks. There are rednecks everywhere.

When you are in asia and you bite into a "hot wing" that turns out to be a chicken's foot cooked in hot sauce, it's hard not to reveal the fact that you are actually a 6'3" tall fair skinned redneck from the US. But the locals like rednecks from everywhere, and they especially like to pull the old "chicken's foot" trick on them. It's all in fun...
 
Thanks guys all of this has been very helpful and given me some ideas as to how I am going to travel. I think I'll be ok and "come back alive":D
 
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